Dispenser top



L. BARR DISPENSER TOP July 7, 1964 Filed Feb. 26, 1962 INVENTOR.

L ESLI E BA RR /W Wm iv a WM m F United States Patent 3,140,019 DISPENSER TOP Leslie Barr, Glenview, Ill., assignor to Nibot Corporation, a corporation of Illinois Filed Feb. 26, 1962, Ser. No. 175,780 2 Claims. (Cl. 222-480) This invention relates to a dispenser top for containers, particularly condiment containers, and to a dispensing container embodying the top.

Various dispensing devices have been mounted on containers in the past. As an example, salt cartons have included two dispensing attachments, one providing a large pouring opening and the other providing small dispensing openings for shaking small amounts of salt therethrough. The former attachment is a hinged metal device mounted in an opening in one location on the top of the container. The latter is a one-piece perforated plastic body having a hinged cover flap. It is mounted in another opening in the container top, and has a peripheral groove receiving the surrounding edge of the container top therein.

Dispensing arrangements of the foregoing type require two separate parts with accompanying costs of manufacture and assembly. Such arrangements also are not welladapted for small condiment containers, such as table-size salt and pepper shaker cartons, spice containers, containers for flavoring agents, and the like.

An object of the present invention is to provide an improved one-piece dispenser top for containers, which includes both a large pouring opening and small dispensing openings or apertures, and means for covering the openings.

Another object is to provide such a dispenser top which is especially suitable for small condiment containers and the like.

A particular object is to provide a one-piece molded plastic top which is readily secured to a container body to furnish both a top closure thereon, and a pouring opening and dispensing apertures therein, and which includes improved closure flaps for closing the pouring opening and dispensing apertures, improved means for retaining the closure flaps in their closed positions, and improved means by which the flaps may be readily opened.

A further object is to provide a dispenser top which is simple and economical to manufacture, particularly, in one molding operation, and which is convenient and reliable in use.

These and other objects, advantages and functions of the invention will be apparent in reference to the specification and to the attached drawings illustrating a prefered embodiment of the invention, in which like parts are identified by like reference symbols in each of the views, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a top perspective view of a preferred dispensing container;

FIG. 2 is a top plan View of the dispenser top thereof;

FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of the dispenser top;

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the dispenser top, with the flaps thereof in their closed positions, taken on line 44 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a vertical sectional view of the top of the container taken on lines 55 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a vertical sectional view of the top of the container taken at right angles to the view of FIG. 5, on line 6-6 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view of a part of the dispenser top, taken on line 77 of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 8 is a further enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view illustrating the hinge mounting of the flaps, corresponding to the encircled portion in FIG. 6.

The invention provides a one-piece dispenser top which includes a body having two large openings therethrough, one of which provides a large pouring opening, a perforated member extending across the remaining large opening and having small dispensing apertures registering with the large opening, and flap means for covering the large opening. The dispenser top includes means adjacent its periphery for interengaging it and a container body to close the latter. The dispenser top is especially suitable for mounting on an open end container body to provide a closure therefor.

Referring to the drawings, the dispensing container is generally indicated by the number 10 in FIGS. 1, 5 and 6. It includes a cylindrical tubular container body 12 having a closed end 14 and an open end or mouth 16. An annular peripheral inwardly protruding beaded rim 18 is integral with the open end therearound. The container body may be constructed in a conventional manner from cardboard or other suitable materials.

A one-piece molded plastic dispenser top 20 is mounted on the open end 16 of the container body in sealing engagement therewith, to provide a top or end closure thereon. The dispenser top includes a flat circular body portion or body 22 and an integral annular depending peripheral flange 23. An annular arcuate groove 24 is formed on the outer surface of the flange, and it receives the rim 18 of the container body 12 therein, to secure the top and the body together. The parts are assembled simply by pressing the top 20 against the rim 18 of the body until the rim snaps into its position in the groove 24. It will be evident that the parts may be joined by other equivalent interengaging means.

As seen more clearly in FIGS. 1-3, 5 and 6, a large opening 26 provides a pouring opening in the body portion 22. The pouring opening is bordered on its outer side by a marginal arcuate portion 28 of the body portion 22, which arcuate portion is recessed from the upper surface of the body portion to provide a recess 29 extending to the pouring opening, for a purpose to be described. The outer edge of the arcuate portion is cut back to form a flat section 30, seen more clearly in FIGS. 2 and 3.

A second large opening 40 is provided in the body portion 22. A second marginal arcuate portion 32 of the body portion 22 is diametrically opposed to the first arcuate portion 28, and it is recessed from the upper surface of the body portion to provide a recess 33 extending to the second large opening 40. It is also cut back to provide a flat section 34 on its outer edge. A perforated member or portion 36 of the dispenser top is integral with the body portion 22, and it includes a group of small dispensing apertures or perforations 38. The perforated member is mounted on the under surface of the body portion 22 and extends across the large opening 40, with the apertures 38 registering with the opening. As illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 5, the perforated member 36 is formed with its side margins 42 overlapping the integral body portion 22. The outer end of the perforated portion is integral with the arcuate portion 32 and the flange 23, as seen in FIG. 6.

Two oppositely directed covering or closure flaps 44 and 46 are integral with a central strip portion 48 of the body portion 22. As seen in FIG. 6 and as illustrated for one flap 44 in FIG. 8, the flaps are pivotally joined to the strip portion by relatively thin integral hinge portions 50. The inner sides of the hinge portions are formed by relatively large radius curved concavities 52 at the junctures of the flaps and the strip portion. This construction furnishes resilient hinge portions which urge the flaps 44 and 46 into their normal positions illustrated Patented July 7, 1964.

in FIG. 6, wherein the pouring opening 26 and the dispensing apertures 38 are uncovered. In the construction of the dispenser top 20 by molding, the parts are molded in the positions shown in FIGS. 6 and 8, so that the hinges 50 are stressed when the flaps 44 and 46 are moved towards the body portion 22. When the flaps are unrestrained, the hinge portions urge the flaps into the upright positions illustrated and maintain them in such positions. As seen in FIGS. 1, 3 and 6, a narrow opening 51 remains between the inner end of the perforated portion 36 and the strip portion 48 in the process of molding the dispenser top 20 in one piece.

The flaps 44 and 46 include inner covering or closure end portions 52 and 54 and integral outer arcuate tab end portions 56 and 58, respectively. The tab portions form the outer ends of the flaps and have lesser depth or thicknesses than the inner portions, thereby forming respective curved shoulders 60 and 62 at the junctures of the tab portions and the inner portions.

The flaps 44 and 46 are independently movable for covering and uncovering, or closing and opening, the large pouring opening 26 and the second large opening 40, respectively. The dispensing apertures 38 are covered and uncovered together with the latter opening. The pouring opening may be covered when using the dispensing apertures, and the dispensing apertures may be covered when using the pouring opening. Both the pouring opening and the dispensing apertures may be covered by the flaps at the same time, or both may be uncovered. Thus, one fiap 44 may be moved pivotally on its hinge portion 50 in the direction of the body portion 22, and the inner end portion 52 of the flap is received closely within the large pouring opening 26. The curved shoulder 60 on the flap, forming the outer margin of the end portion 52, is adjacent to the first arcuate body portion 28, forming the outer boundary of the opening 26, and the side margins of the flap are adjacent to the side boundaries of the opening 26, so that the opening is closed. The tab portion 56 of the flap overlies the arcuate body portion 28 and fits between the side boundaries of the recess 29 formed by it and the adjoining parts of the body portion 22.

Similarly, the remaining flap 46 may be pivotally moved towards the dispenser top body portion 22, and the inner flap portion 54 is received closely in the large opening 40 above the perforated member 36. The flap shoulder 62 is adjacent to the second arcuate portion 32, and the side margins of the inner portion are adjacent to the side boundaries of the opening 40. The small dispensing apertures 38 and the narrow opening 51 are then covered by the flap. The tab portion 58 lies on the second arcuate portion 32 and is received in the recess 33 formed with adjoining parts of the body portion 22.

Referring especially to FIG. 2, two nibs 64 are integral with the upper surface of the dispenser top body portion 22 on opposite sides of the pouring opening 26, and they extend over the opening. Similarly, two nibs 66 are mounted on the upper surface of the body portion on opposite sides of the remaining large opening 40 and overhang the opening. The nibs have beveled heads, as seen in FIGS. 4 and 7, which yield sufiiciently to permit the flaps 44 and 46 to be pressed into the openings 26 and 40, respectively. As shown for the nib 66 in FIG. 7, the nibs are provided with undercuts 68 which receive the side edges of the flaps and hold or lock the flaps in their covering or closing positions. The manner in which the flaps are held is illustrated for one flap 44 in FIG. 4. In molding the dispenser top, semicircular openings 70 are formed in the perforated member 36 around the nibs 66, as seen in FIGS. 2, 3 and 7. These openings are covered by the flap 46 when the flap is down.

Either flap 44 or 46 may be raised by inserting a finger under its tab portion 56 or 58. The flat cut-back sections 30 and 34 are provided for that purpose. The nibs 64 and 66 yield resiliently to permit the flaps to be removed from engagement therewith, and the nibs then return to their holding positions illustrated. When the flaps have cleared the nibs, the hinge portions 50, while still stressed, urge the flaps to their upwardly extending positions, where they remain until forcibly moved into their covering positions.

The dispenser top 20 is very readily and economically molded in a conventional manner from a suitable plastic material having the required flexibility and resiliency, such as a synthetic organic thermoplastic resin. A preferred material of construction is polypropylene, and other polyolefins may be employed. The dispenser top is molded in dies which conform to the outlines of the portions as they are illustrated in the several views, with the exception of FIG. 4 wherein the flaps are closed.

The container body 12 initially is filled with powdered or fine granular or flaked condiment or the like, and the dispenser top 20 is pressed on the beaded rim 18. With the flaps 44 and 46 in their closed positions and held by the nibs 64 and 66, a closed package is provided which may be distributed in the usual manner. The user may dispense the contents simply by raising one or the other of the flaps. The container may be employed as a shaker by raising the flap 46 and shaking the container to dispense the contents through the small dispensing apertures 38. When it is desired to pour the contents from the container, the remaining flap 44 is raised to uncover the pouring opening 26. The openings are closed simply by pressing the flaps against the nibs 64 and 66, whereupon the flaps snap past the nibs and into their covering positions. With the container thus closed, the contents are prevented from spilling out, and are also protected against contamination and moisture.

It will be apparent that various changes and modifications may be made in the construction and arrangement of the parts within the spirit and scope of the invention. It is intended that such changes and modifications be included within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A one-piece molded plastic dispenser top for condiment containers and the like, which comprises a fiat body having two large openings therethrough, said openings each having an inner boundary, side boundaries, and an outer boundary, one of said openings providing a pouring opening, a perforated member integrally mounted on the under surface of said body and extending across the remaining one of said openings to provide small dispensing apertures registering therewith, means forming two recesses on the upper surface of said body each having side boundaries extending from the outer edge of the body to the outer boundary of one of said openings, a cut back outer edge section on said body at each of said recesses, two hinges respectively adjacent to said opening inner boundaries and integral with said body thereat, and two closure flaps each having an inner margin, side margins, and an outer margin, said inner margins respectively be ing integral with said hinges for hinged movement of the flaps to open and close the adjacent openings, said flaps respectively being received in said adjacent openings and in said recesses extending thereto with the flap side margins bounded by the side boundaries of the openings and recesses in closing said openings, each said flap including an inner closure end extending outwardly from its inner margin and received in the adjacent opening, each said flap including an outer tab end extending inwardly from its outer margin to said closure end and received in the said recess extending to the latter opening, said closure end having a greater depth throughout than said tab end and extending below said recess, the outer and side margins of said closure end being closely adjacent to the outer and side boundaries of the latter opening, whereby the latter opening is closed by said closure end, said tab end extending outwardly beyond said cut back section at said recess for access thereto to raise the flap to an open positron.

2. A one-piece molded plastic dispenser top for condiment containers and the like, which comprises a flat ings each having an inner boundary, side boundaries, and body having two large openings therethrough, said openan outer boundary, one of said openings providing a pouring opening, a perforated member integrally mounted on the under surface of said body and extending across the remaining one of said openings to provide small dispensing apertures registering therewith, means forming two recesses on the upper surface of said body each having side boundaries extending from the outer edge of the body to the outer boundary of one of said openings, a cut back outer edge section on said body at each of said recesses, two hinges respectively adjacent to said opening inner boundaries and integral with said body thereat, two closure flaps each having an inner margin, side margins, and an outer margin, said inner margins respectively being integral with said hinges for hinged movement of the flaps to open and close the adjacent openings, said flaps respectively being received in said adjacent openings and in said recesses extending thereto with the flap side margins bounded by the side boundaries of the openings and recesses in closing said openings, each said flap including an inner closure end extending outwardly from its inner margin and received in the adjacent opening, each said flap including an outer tab end extending inwardly from its outer margin to said closure end and received in the said recess extending to the latter opening, said closure end having a greater depth throughout than said tab end and extending below said recess, the outer and side margins of said closure end being closely adjacent to the outer and side boundaries of the latter opening, whereby the latter opening is closed by said closure end, said tab end extending outwardly beyond said out back section at said recess for access thereto to raise the flap to an open position, and two pairs of nibs on the upper surface of said body and having beveled heads, said nibs in each pair being disposed on opposite sides of one of said openings and overhanging the opening, whereby each of said flaps may be moved from its open position past said nibs to close the adjacent opening and said nibs hold the flap in its closed position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,797,840 Gibbs July 2, 1957 2,940,645 Albiani June 14, 1960 3,018,931 Westgate Jan. 30, 1962 3,036,746 Hagen May 29, 1962 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No, 3 140 019 July 7 1964 Leslie Barr It is hereby certified that error appears in the above numbered patent requiring correction and that the said Letters Patentshould read as corrected below.

Column 5 lines 2 and 3, for ".ings each having an inner boundary, side boundaries and body having two large openings therethrough, said open" read body having two large openings therethrough said openings each having an inner boundary, side boundaries; and

Signed and sealed this 10th day of November 1964 (SEAL) Attest:

ERNEST W. SWIDER I 1 EDWARD J. BRENNER Ailtesting Officer Commissioner of Patents 

1. A ONE-PIECE MOLDED PLASTIC DISPENSER TOP FOR CONDIMENT CONTAINERS AND THE LIKE, WHICH COMPRISES A FLAT BODY HAVING TWO LARGE OPENINGS THERETHROUGH, SAID OPENINGS EACH HAVING AN INNER BOUNDARY, SIDE BOUNDARIES, AND AN OUTER BOUNDARY, ONE OF SAID OPENINGS PROVIDING A POURING OPENING, A PERFORATED MEMBER INTEGRALLY MOUNTED ON THE UNDER SURFACE OF SAID BODY AND EXTENDING ACROSS THE REMAINING ONE OF SAID OPENINGS TO PROVIDE SMALL DISPENSING APERTURES REGISTERING THEREWITH, MEANS FORMING TWO RECESSES ON THE UPPER SURFACE OF SAID BODY EACH HAVING SIDE BOUNDARIES EXTENDING FROM THE OUTER EDGE OF THE BODY TO THE OUTER BOUNDARY OF ONE OF SAID OPENINGS, A CUT BACK OUTER EDGE SECTION ON SAID BODY AT EACH OF SAID RECESSES, TWO HINGES RESPECTIVELY ADJACENT TO SAID OPENING INNER BOUNDARIES AND INTERGRAL WITH SAID BODY THEREAT, AND TWO CLOSURE FLAPS EACH HAVING AN INNER MARGIN, SIDE MARGINS, AND AN OUTER MARGIN, SAID INNER MARGINS RESPECTIVELY BEING INTEGRAL WITH SAID HINGES FOR HINGED MOVEMENT OF THE FLAPS TO OPEN AND CLOSE THE ADJACENT OPENINGS, SAID FLAPS RESPECTIVELY BEING RECEIVED IN SAID ADJACENT OPENINGS AND IN SAID RECESSES EXTENDING THERETO WITH THE FLAP SIDE MAR- 